This week, downtown transforms into a winding seaside race course for IndyCar drivers, and restaurants and businesses become party places for the more than 170,000 race fans who will swarm the city for the 40th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the city’s biggest event.

There’s Wednesday’s Roar in the Shore, which includes race and classic car exhibits, live music and driver autograph opportunities from 5-8 p.m. on Second Street in Belmont Shore. That event is free.

Thursday also features a full schedule of free events that officially kick off Grand Prix weekend. It starts at 11 a.m. with the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony in front of the Convention Center. Driver Dario Franchitti and race team owners Gerald Forsythe and Kevin Kalkhoven will be inducted.

At 6:30 p.m., the Thunder Thursday party starts on Pine Avenue and Broadway with motorcycle stunts, autograph sessions, IndyCar Series pit stop demonstrations and the Miss Toyota Grand Prix Pageant, which takes place at 9 p.m.

Tickets, transportation

Gates open at 7 a.m. Friday through Sunday for the Grand Prix. Tickets starts at $28 for a Friday general admission to $135 for a three-day pass that includes reserved seating in grandstand upper levels on Saturday and Sunday. Also available are prepaid parking packages, seating for those with disabilities, IndyCar Paddock passes and various Hospitality Club packages.

Parking can cost a fortune, depending on where you end up. There are private lots, city lots and parking available with ticket packages. Visit gplb.com or downtownlongbeach.org for more information.

You can forgo driving for public transportation. Long Beach Transit will make some adjustments to relieve congestion and parking issues. Call 562-591-2301 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. You can also check out detour maps at lbtransit.com. Want to see someone in person? Transit officials will be at the Transit and Visitor Information Center at 130 E. First St. all weekend.

Grand Prix Weekend

On Friday, fans can check out practice and qualifying sessions for all races. Later, around 6:45 p.m., the band Kinky will perform at the Tecate Light Fiesta on Friday Concert, which is free to ticket holders.

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On Saturday, fans get to watch actor Adrien Brody, Olympic medalist Carmelita Jeter and other celebrities compete in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, which takes place at noon. Fans can also check out the Tequila Patrón Sports Car Racing Showcase and Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge, the IndyCar Series and Indy Lights practice and qualifiers and end the day with Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, who takes the Rock-N-Roar Concert stage at 6:45 p.m.

On Sunday, fans can cheer on Helio Castroneves, Takuma Sato and other drivers for the main event, the IndyCar Series race. Pre-race ceremonies start at 12:30 p.m., and the actual 80-lap race starts at 1:50 p.m.

Want a break from the heat? Take shade at the Lifestyle Expo featuring more than 130 exhibitors, vehicle and race history displays at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. The expo is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. It is free to ticket-holders.

About the Author

Newspaper reporter with more than a decade of experience in journalism. I cover trade and transportation. Reach the author at karen.robes@langnews.com
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